Learn 介 in words that bring people together or describe care.

The idea

介 has four strokes and the on-reading カイ in 紹介（しょうかい）, 介護（かいご） and 仲介（ちゅうかい）. Learn each compound as a complete word; use the linked diagram for stroke order.

Patterns to compare
WordReadingIn context
紹介しょうかいI introduced my friend to my teacher.
介護かいごMy sister works in nursing care.
仲介ちゅうかいAn agency mediated between the two companies.

Examples

  • 友達ともだちを先生せんせいに紹介しょうかいしました。I introduced my friend to my teacher.
  • 会社かいしゃは新あたらしい商品しょうひんを紹介しょうかいしました。The company introduced a new product.
  • 姉あねは介護かいごの仕事しごとをしています。My sister works in nursing care.
  • 祖父そふは家いえで介護かいごを受うけています。My grandfather receives care at home.
  • 機関きかんが二ふたつの会社かいしゃの仲介ちゅうかいをしました。An agency mediated between the two companies.
  • 自己じこ紹介しょうかいを短みじかくしてください。Please introduce yourself briefly.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

The keyword “jammed in” is only a mnemonic. 紹介 means introduction, while 介護 means care; neither normally means being physically stuck.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 紹介 in hiragana.

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    しょうかい

    紹介 is しょうかい: it means an introduction or introducing someone.

  2. Write the reading of 介護 in hiragana.

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    かいご

    介護 is かいご: it refers to nursing or personal care.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: 仲＿（ちゅうかい）［介／界］.

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    介

    介 completes 仲介（ちゅうかい）, mediation between parties.

Use it today

Write 介 using the diagram, cover the readings, then introduce a person using 紹介.